10 Things to Do for a Bathroom Without an Exhaust Fan

An exhaust fan is a device that is typically installed in a bathroom to remove odors and humid air that would otherwise create a moist environment and foster the growth of mold and mildew. The absence of an exhaust fan can also result in peeling paint from your walls, a musty smell in your bathroom, and damage to other surfaces like wall tiles. Therefore, it is important to find out what you can do for a bathroom without an exhaust fan.

Here are 10 things you can do for a bathroom without an exhaust fan:

1. Use high-quality dehumidifying crystals.
2. Use an electric space heater with a fan.
3. Use a dehumidifier to help lower humidity.
4. Open your window while you shower or bathe.
5. Consider using an air purifier.
6. Leave your bathroom door open to let out steam.
7. Install a shower dome.
8. Buy or make your own after-shower spray.
9. Use a window or box fan.
10. Remove any mold growth from the start with appropriate chemicals.

In the following parts of the article, I will examine all the methods mentioned above and provide you with detailed explanations of how to implement them. 

1. Use high-quality dehumidifying crystals

Dehumidifying crystals are hygroscopic salts that can absorb moisture from the surrounding air. These crystals come in a package with absorbent crystals and a small cup to catch the excess steam.

One of the best dehumidifying crystals in the market is the DampRid Moisture Absorber (available on Amazon.com). The cups are long-lasting (up to 90 days) and can eliminate odors like a musty smell caused by moisture in the bathroom.

The crystals absorb excess moisture from the air and become a hard solid mass. However, when exposed to more water, the crystal curves start to dissolve, forming a brine and emptying into the cup. 

When the cup is full and all the crystals have dissolved, empty the water into the toilet. Then, refill the cup with crystals to restart the process.

One of the major advantages of most dehumidifying salts is that they are very environmentally safe and do not overly dry out the air or damage clothes and plants. 

2. Use an electric space heater with a fan

These fans warm up the space by circulating warm air with a fan. This way, the hot air circulates throughout the room.

To use the electric space heater, place it on a dry surface in your bathroom, such as the toilet tank, and let it run each time you shower or bathe to reduce steam formation. You should also leave it on for at least 15 minutes after showering.

If you are using an electric fan in the bathroom, make sure it is far enough from any water source to prevent its cords from hanging or coming into contact with water. 

It is also beneficial to point the heater towards an outlet, such as an open door, a window, or a louvered door. After the 15 minutes have elapsed, use a towel to dry any remaining wet parts of the bathroom.

Electric space heaters are excellent options for quickly reducing moisture in a bathroom as the heat also contributes to reducing humidity when adequate ventilation is present. 

If you choose the electric space heater option, I recommend the Aikoper Space Heater (available on Amazon.com). It is highly efficient and heats up the room quickly. Additionally, it is adjustable to achieve the desired temperature more effectively. 

3. Use a dehumidifier to lower humidity

If you do not have an exhaust fan, a dehumidifier is a great way to keep the room less humid. Dehumidifiers are designed for such a task, but it is important to take precautions to ensure they are as far away as possible from any water source. 

Since mold thrives in moisture, using a dehumidifier to dry the air prevents the growth of mold. I strongly recommend leaving the dehumidifier on for at least an hour after showering to completely rid the bathroom of steam. 

Additionally, you do not have to worry about the dehumidifier blowing cool air, especially in cold weather, as most of them blow warm air since warmth helps reduce humidity when there is adequate ventilation. 

Another advantage of using a dehumidifier is the low maintenance they require. Depending on the frequency of your showers, you may need to empty the bucket every one to two weeks. 

4. Open your window while showering or bathing

Most building codes in different areas require a bathroom window if an exhaust fan is not installed. If this is the case for you, simply open your window while showering and bathing instead of using an exhaust fan. An open window will help vent out most of the steam. 

In winter or colder weather, it may be more practical to use the other methods described in this article and leave the window open as a solution for the rest of the year. 

However, if privacy is one of your main concerns when leaving the window open, I suggest using a waterproof curtain. Follow these steps to make a simple DIY waterproof curtain:

1. Use a measuring tape to measure the size of your window. (You can also use a cardboard to estimate the size.)
2. Cut an old shower liner to dimensions slightly larger than your window size.
3. Hang the shower liner on your curtain rod and enjoy your privacy and good ventilation.

You could also purchase the Instruban Window Privacy Film (available on Amazon.com). It provides a nice frosted glass effect while ensuring full privacy. Additionally, it blocks harmful UV rays and provides thermal insulation. 

5. Consider using an air purifier

One of the common applications of a bathroom exhaust fan is to remove odors, dust, and other airborne pollutants from the bathroom. Air purifiers can do all of this in addition to filtering out mold spores and bacteria. 

Most air purifiers do not have a mechanism to absorb moisture from the air. Therefore, in this article, I recommend using another method alongside air purifiers to better reduce the humidity in your bathroom.

However, some air purifiers have fans that can help remove particles and odors from the bathroom, increase ventilation, and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. One of these air purifiers is the MOONQUAKE Air Purifier (available on Amazon.com).

6. Leave your bathroom door open to let out steam

Leaving doors open while showering and for up to 15 minutes after showering can provide the much-needed ventilation to prevent moisture in the bathroom. You can also further solve the problem by running a fan in the bathroom for at least 15 minutes after bathing.

If you find that the problem is mainly solved by leaving your door open but are concerned about privacy, you may consider using a louver in your door. Alternatively, you can help limit the opening width of the door and prevent it from fully opening by installing a long chain lock. 

These options will allow optimal steam release while still ensuring your privacy.

7. Install a shower dome

A shower dome reduces moisture by stopping steam formation, thereby preventing condensation and mold growth. Condensation in your bathroom occurs when the warm water you shower with produces steam that mixes with the cooler air outside your shower. 

A shower dome is firmly attached to the top of your shower and prevents condensation by preventing the steam produced when showering with warm water from mixing with cooler air outside the bathroom. 

The shower dome should be tailored to the dimensions of your shower to function optimally. There are so many sizes of shower domes, but it is best to find one slightly larger than your shower and then trim it to the exact size during installation. 

If you choose to use the shower dome option, I recommend the ICON Skylight Dome (available on Amazon.com). It is of very high quality and has standard dimensions that fit most showers. It will significantly reduce condensation in your bathroom and prevent mold formation. 

8. Buy your own after-shower cleaning spray

Since exhaust fans work very well to prevent the formation of mold and mildew in bathrooms, the absence of these fans may mean that your bathroom is at a higher risk of getting damaged. Cleaning and drying a bathroom thoroughly on a daily basis is one of the best ways to prevent and eliminate mold. 

However, it is impractical to try to wash and dry bathroom walls thoroughly on a daily basis. That’s why after-shower sprays have been developed to help people keep their showers and tubs clean after use without much effort. 

After-shower sprays are specially formulated water-resistant cleaning solutions designed for regular or daily use to keep mold and mildew off your bathroom walls while you are in between more thorough bathroom cleaning sessions. 

To use an after-shower spray, simply spray it on your bathroom walls, especially in areas where there are deposits like foam and dirt. If they still remain after use, wipe the surfaces with a clean cloth to remove them. 

Sprays are easy to find in hardware stores and home improvement stores or online, including the Fuller Shower Spray (available on Amazon.com). This after-shower spray is easy to use, and the bottle resembles a shampoo bottle, making it convenient to keep in your shower area for immediate use after showering. Just spray and walk away as no rinsing is required, and it effectively removes foam, dirt, and mold. 

While after-shower sprays are affordable and efficient, some are made with peculiar or questionable chemicals that you may want to avoid. Fortunately, it is incredibly easy to make your own after-shower spray using some common household items – and it helps save a few bucks. 

To make an after-shower spray, simply mix the following together in a clean spray bottle:

•  ½ cup vinegar (118.29 ml)
• 1½ cups water (354.88 ml)
• 3-4 drops of essential oil of your choice (optional) 

9. Use a window or box fan

The absence of an exhaust fan in a bathroom can lead to less ventilation and more moisture. Using fans can solve the problem by increasing ventilation and helping to dry the air. 

A window fan is a good option for a bathroom as it takes up less space in the actual area where you shower. Most windows are usually placed far away from water sources, significantly reducing the risk of damage from potential contact with water. 

To properly utilize a window fan, place it facing outward so that it pulls air out while you shower. Then, simply remove it when you are done.

I also strongly recommend using a heat lamp along with your fan if you have access to a window or a door for ventilation. The heat from the heat lamp will dry out the moisture in the bathroom even faster than using the fan alone and prevent mold formation.

When purchasing a window fan, make sure its dimensions are roughly the same as your window. It is also a good idea to not only focus on the airflow rate but also the noise level when running. 

10. Remove any mold growth from the start with appropriate chemicals

In some climates, even with the use of all these hacks, mold can still form in the bathroom – less mold than without the hacks, but still some. When mold starts to grow on your bathroom surfaces, it is advisable to treat it early with treatment chemicals available in most stores. 

The most commonly used chemicals for removing mold from bathroom walls are bleach and vinegar.

Here’s how to use bleach:

1. Mix ten parts bleach with twenty parts water 
2. Apply the solution to the wall with a sponge  
3. Allow it to air dry

To use vinegar: 

1. Put pure white vinegar in a spray bottle
2. Spray the vinegar directly on the moldy areas of your wall
3. Wait 30 minutes and then wipe it off with a clean cloth or sponge